HS Softball: Opening Shot from Sneed is Enough to Keep Conroe Afloat in Close Win

SPRING, TX -- The Conroe Tigers (12-5, 3-1) did just enough to stay in front of the Grand Oaks Grizzlies (12-5, 2-2) by riding timely hits and sound fielding to secure a 2-1 road win.

Previous wins for the Tigers had come in demonstrative fashion, with their 14-0 victory over Oak Ridge serving as a stepping stone for where the team aims to be as the district slate continues.

This flashy play started early for Conroe, following an early single off a Grand Oaks error that got Kaylee Chatman on first with one out. Then, Alisa Sneed entered the box, swinging with absolute confidence on her first pitch to send the ball over the outfield fence for a two-run homer in the top of the first.

In an exclusive interview with The Woodlands Online Sports, Conroe Head Coach Rachelle Harris discussed the positive vibes inside the dugout following the early 2-0 lead.

“This is what we’re made for,” explained Harris. “This is what we want. To have those opportunities to bring our girls in off of beautiful hits like that, it’s what we love to see.”

Grand Oaks freshman pitcher Victoria Hernandez struck out the remaining Tiger batters, but the early 2-0 advantage proved to be the game-changing break needed for Conroe.

No swings or at-bats for the Grizzlies fazed the unshakable fielding and pitching on display by Conroe. Five straight scoreless innings with only two hits given up demonstrated Conroe’s immaculate ability to keep the ball in front of them while riding a strong outing from pitcher Eva Lantagne.

Lantagne tallied five strikeouts during Conroe’s five-inning shutout by using a healthy mix of pitch variety. Placement was key, getting multiple Grizzly batters to bite on balls that were placed just outside of their reach.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, their top of the first outing was a one-off instance due to the revamped fielding from Grand Oaks paired with a standout performance from Hernandez.

The Tigers failed to bring home any runs for the next six innings due to a barrage of strikeouts from the Grizzly freshman. Eight strikeouts was the final tally for Hernandez as she put the lid on a Conroe team that has proven its ability to run up the score if given the chance.

“She had a great game. No slacking off from her,” said Harris, praising Hernandez’s outing. “She pitched a great game, but for our girls, we just had to keep pushing through our slumps.”

The pitcher’s duel between Lantagne and Hernandez carried deep into the sixth before the first defensive crack of the game appeared for Conroe.

A lead-off walk from Ava Butler was the first walk of the game issued by Lantagne. The problem was immediately compounded when Butler stole second to get Grand Oaks its first runner in scoring position since the first inning.

Kaitlynn Torres then paid off the opportunity by connecting on an outfield double that brought Butler home for the Grizzlies’ first run of the day.

Torres’ holding at second threatened an opportunity for Grand Oaks to tie the game, but the Tigers clamped down at the right moment and secured back-to-back outs to strand the runner and maintain a 2-1 lead going into the seventh inning.

With Grand Oaks starting to mount pressure, Conroe took to the plate hoping to kickstart their hitting similar to what they had seen in the top of the first.

However, Hernandez had other ideas, striking Sneed out of the leadoff spot before giving up a single to Addison Mason. Unfortunately for Conroe, Mason was thrown out on a grounder that nearly led to a double play.

The two outs sank any chance that the Tigers may have had in the seventh, ending in a Skylar Green grounder to first.

Grand Oaks’ chance to either tie or win was on deck, but cooler heads had to prevail in the intense environment of a one-run game.

“Our girls want to win so bad for themselves and for the team,” said Harris. “One of my stars, our first baseman, gave her body to try and win this game. She’ll sacrifice herself, they’ll sacrifice themselves to do what is needed for the team.”

The mostly silent hitting from the Grizzlies came out hot in the clutch moments in the bottom of the seventh.

A lead-off double from Amira Abukhzam immediately put the tying run in scoring position before a wild pitch from Lantagne advanced her to third for free.

But with the intensity of the moment bearing down on the field, a costly mistake on the basepath scuttled the chance put together by Abukhzam.

Julia Veilleux laid down a ball that maneuvered toward third, where Abukhzam was attempting to make a run for home. But savvy fielding and a burst of speed from Sneed at shortstop were enough to catch up to the runner before she could reach home, securing the first out while snagging a runner just before home.

Ari Sanchez was the third straight Grand Oaks batter to connect with a Lantagne pitch in the bottom of the seventh, putting herself at first while advancing Veilleux to third with only one out.

With their backs against the wall and Grand Oaks threatening to steal the win at the last second, the Tigers came up with the perfect defensive stance to end the game with a win.

A ping down the first baseline from Ella Brown nearly escaped the grasp of Maliyah Harrison, who had moved to first to relieve the previously injured Hayven Fredrick. But the shifted fielder snagged the ball before it could escape her while also tagging out the runner in a game-clinching double play.

“I am so blessed to have these girls. They can play every position, and they will be comfortable with it,” said Harris. “They are confident in themselves to play where needed as well.”

The clutch double play sank Grand Oaks’ hopes of a late comeback, ending the game in a hard-fought, 2-1 Conroe victory.

“We just have to stay on it and play our game,” said Harris. “We can’t have other teams come in and throw us off our game.”

Conroe’s win shifts them into second place in the 13-6A standings, with their next matchup coming on Wednesday against the scrappy Willis Ladykats.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies will look for a rebound in their next game, with the rivaling Oak Ridge War Eagles set to host them on Wednesday afternoon.